Mel woke up and thought I was snoring, but she quickly realised something was seriously wrong and dialled 999,
Dan Gilkes, 56, from Bury St. Edmunds, suffered a cardiac arrest at home in bed one night. His wife Mel saved his life thanks to her quick actions.
With the 999 call handler providing guidance, Mel got Dan onto the floor and immediately began CPR.
Within just four minutes of her 999 call, ambulance paramedics arrived on the scene, quickly followed by East Anglian Air Ambulance (EAAA) Critical Care Paramedic (CCP) Joe Dowsing in one of our Rapid Response Vehicles (RRVs). The RRVs carry the same equipment as the helicopters, meaning Joe had everything he needed to provide Dan with advanced pre-hospital critical care, including sedation to keep him comfortable.
I was ‘gone’ for between 10-12 minutes. Dan continues, The ambulance paramedics shocked me three times and brought me back.
A remarkable recovery
Three weeks after his cardiac arrest, Dan was able to go home. He gradually started walking again, increasing his activity little by little, as his body began to recover.
Just three months later, Dan, a keen marathon runner, ran again for the first time since his cardiac arrest.
He took part in ‘Together We Run’, one of EAAA’s virtual fundraising events and he’s currently in the process of completing a virtual fundraising run throughout 2023, covering the 874 miles from John O’Groats to Land’s End.
Dan’s journey with EAAA is all thanks to you, our phenomenal supporters, which Dan wholeheartedly agrees with!
EAAA provides an essential service. Public support and donations provide critical care at scenes of emergencies, ultimately saving lives.
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